CODE 2, VOL 31, NO 9 : 30 MARCH 2017

Deployment in response to Cyclone Debbie

As Ex-Tropical Cyclone Debbie swings towards the south-east, I'd like to offer my best wishes to all members and their families in the path of the storm and to those working on rescue and recovery, and particularly to those on deployment I say on behalf of all UFUQ members that we hope that you return home safe

Many firefighters and fire communication officers have been, and continue to be, deployed to provide services to affected communities. We have also seen crews in many affected communities being called out to perform swift water and other rescue activities.

I also take this opportunity to acknowledge the assistance from firefighters in the ACT, NSW and Victoria for responding to Queensland Fire and Rescue's calls for help. The number of firies in Queensland is simply not enough to cope with the current demand for specialised rescue activities that only you and your colleagues are qualified to provide across the state.

If you have been deployed, or you've had to work extra hours outside of your normal roster, I advise you to keep your own set of accurate records of the times and days you have worked, and the hours you worked on those days.

We have learned from previous deployments that the detailed records you have kept have gone a long way to help resolve the issues of entitlements and other matters you have raised.

Once this significant response by Fire and Rescue has passed, if you require your union to assist you with any issues that arise, on contacting us we will ask you to send us a copy of your detailed records.

I also ask that if you have any stories of incidents or the work you were involved in that you'd like to share, or particularly if you have footage of the sort of work Fire and Rescue were performing, that you send the stories and photos/footage to your union state office.

John Oliver - General Secretary

Authorised by John Oliver General Secretary United Firefighters' Union of Australia, Union of Employees QLD